GURKHAS who served in Hong Kong are now training troops in guerilla and jungle warfare to fight rebels in the West African country of Sierra Leone.
About 50 former British Gurkhas, a battalion which makes up the main contingent of the Hong Kong Garrison, left for Sierra Leone on February 10.
The Gurkhas' specialist knowledge will be imparted to government troops fighting rebels of the Revolutionary United Front. The conflict began four years ago.
However, the British Government has denied it provides any military assistance to Sierra Leone. This was supported by the country's Information Minister, Arnold Bishop Gooding, who said the training programme had nothing to do with Britain.
The company which employs the former Gurkhas has been traced by the South China Morning Post to the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom.
GSG (Gurkha Security Guards) Ltd now employs about 60 former Gurkhas, all recruited in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu by a former Hong Kong Gurkha, Major Bal Bahadur Gurung.
GSG director Nick Bell said the company used an employment agency in Kathmandu called Moondrops Agency, and also dealt with Major Bal Bahadur Gurung.